Singapore: Indian ace shuttler and double Olympic medallist P V Sindhu clinched the Singapore Open Super 500 badminton women's singles title on Sunday, beating China's Wang Zhi Yi, PTI.
The mistake-filled clash went to a decider after Sindu lost the second set to her opponent, the reigning Asian Championships gold medallist. The score was 21-9 11-21 21-15.
This is the 27-year-old Hyderabad shuttler's third world tour title of the season.
There was a considerable drift in the hall which affected the match. Though Wang chose an advantageous position and played against the drift, Sindhu managed to limit the errors and keep her nerves to emerge victorious in the end.
She used her reach and angled returns to seal the first set.
In the second set, Wang got the better side of the court and used it well so that Sindhu lost the set. Sindhu tried to use the spinning net shot and use the gaps on the court to make a comeback, but points but couldn't seal the set.
The decider match became more alive after both ended up in long rallies. While Wang seemed charged up initially, Sindhu was patient and, after an initial duel of 5-5, played a superb smash and then finished a long rally with a delectable drop shot to leave her opponent on the floor.
The Indian grabbed a five-point advantage at the interval after producing another superb cross-court smash from a deep forehand corner.
Back to the better side after the final change in ends, Wang reduced the deficit to 11-12, with Sindhu committing errors.
The Indian, however, managed to establish a four-point advantage with a good follow-up shot. Wang played some superb drops and hold-and-disguise pushes to breathe down the Indian's neck.
However, an alert Sindhu produced an attacking return on her rivals' forehand to move to 18-14 before Wang sent one to the net.
Just two points away, Sindhu hit long before unleashing a smash to finish an intense rally and grab five match points.
Wang hit wide as Sindhu threw her arms to the air in celebration.
The title run will be a big boost for Sindhu, who will be leading India's charge at the Commonwealth Games, starting July 28 in Birmingham.
This was her third title of the season -- having won two Super 300 crowns in Syed Modi International and Swiss Open -- and an addition to her brimming cabinet, which has a gold, two silver, and as many bronze medals from the World Championships besides two Olympic medals.